February 8, 2016

FROM THE PRESIDENT:

FEBRUARY, 2016

    This is my first column as your 2016 Chamber president, and I must say it is an honor and privilege to represent our community’s leading business organization.
     And I have a tough act to follow - Sharon Casey, past Chamber President - did an excellent job leading the Chamber to make a positive impact on the community. During Sharon's term of office, the Chamber was restructured to make the most efficient use of its members' contributions. She had to make some tough decisions, and we applaud all her efforts on behalf of the Bartow business community!

Jennifer Hall, continued

CHAMBER EVENTS

(All meetings are in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.)

FEBRUARY
Wednesday, February 10, 7:30 a.m.
B2B BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE

Friday, February 12, 8:00 a.m.
COMMITTEE OF 100
Health and Life Center
Hwy. 17 & Main Street

Friday, Saturday, February 12-13
LB BROWN HERITAGE FESTIVAL
L.B. Brown Avenue, Bartow

Tuesday, February 16, 2:00 p.m.
BOARD RETREAT
FIPR Boardroom

Thursday, February 18
LEADERSHIP ED DAY

Thursday, February 18
BARN BOOGIE
Leland Young's Barn
2905 Central Ave., Alturas 33820

Friday, February 19, 10:00 a.m.
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE
MUSEUM GRAND REOPENING
& RIBBON-CUTTING

585 E. Summerlin Street

Saturday, February 20
SYFY SATURDAY BARTOW
Downtown Bartow

Wednesday, February 24, 1:30 p.m.
DIPLOMAT BIRTHDAY PARTY

FOR A LIST OF COMMUNITY EVENTS LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE, CLICK HERE.

CHAMPIONS CUP

CHAMPIONS CUP
Champions Cup was created to recognize and honor businesses and organizations that have championed exemplary best practices, and have had a positive influence on the economic well being of the area's business environment. Congratulations to the 2015 Champions Cup Winners! Here they are:
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR:
Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS:
Tindale Oliver
SERVICE/PROFESSIONAL:
Bartow Regional Medical Center
RETAIL BUSINESS:
Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure
NOT FOR PROFIT/ COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY:
Bartow Rotary Club
MAIN STREET BUSINESS:
Travel Leaders / International Sun Travel
EMERGING BUSINESS:
Broadway Diner

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE:
Don Wilson


Click here to see past winners of this prestigious award.

SUPPORT YOUR ADVERTISERS















WANT YOUR COMPANY
LISTED HERE?
Contact Barbara@bartowchamber.com

New Article

BARN BOOGIE COMING UP!



CLICK FOR MORE DETAILS!

Tickets are still available for one of Chamber's most fun events . . . BARN BOOGIE! All you urban cowboys and sassy lasses are invited to saddle up for a barn-raising hootenanny at the annual Barn Boogie Dinner and Dance - a southern-styled, honky-tonk, boot-scootin' celebration featuring lip smacking Texas Cattle Company steak and a DJ Clint Edwards spinning your favorite tunes!

B2B BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE FEB. 10th!



Wednesday, February 10, 2016, 7:30 a.m., Chamber Boardroom
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS
MORNING BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE

Plenty of coffee and fellowship with your fellow member business owners. Bring lots of business cards and give everyone two - one for them and one for a friend. Hope to see you there!

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: MAIN STREET COMICS & MEMORABILIA

Left to Right: Owners Virginia, John and Tasha Harrison; Chamber membership services director, Barbara Adamson.

Business of the Month for February:
MAIN STREET COMICS & MEMORABILIA
415 E. Main Street, Suite C, Bartow, FL 33830, 863-537-7703

SEE ONLINE.
Polk County's newest and best Comic Book Collector's Shop! Located in Bartow, Florida on historic Main Street, on the corner of Main and Florida Ave. Main Street Comics carries everything the comic fan needs . . . and more! The Harrisons invite everyone to come visit the store at 415 E. Main Street, Suite C, in Bartow. For more information, call 863-537-7703.

MAYOR'S SUNRISE PRAYER BREAKFAST



When the Mayor’s Sunrise Prayer Breakfast was first conceived, it was agreed it would be a time of early morning prayer to begin the day. Somewhere along the line, the event became a luncheon. This year, for the first time in a long time, the time of prayer is switched back to the traditional early morning event.

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FORTRESS FITNESS PROMOTES FAMILY FITNESS

FORTRESS FITNESS IS SECOND SATURDAY

     The Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce presents “FORTRESS Fitness,” a program to promote family fitness began in September at Fort Blount Park.
      “FORTRESS Fitness is a community-wide outdoor workout program for all fitness levels, all ages, and it’s absolutely free,” said Marie Wilmot, organizer of the new program. Wilmot is a wellness and fitness enthusiast, instructor of Pilates, kickboxing, Zumba and other cardio-fitness programs Please mark your calendars for these second Saturdays:
  • February 13th – Darwin Manzueta
  • March 12th – Mariah Andresen-Otten
  • April 9th – John Abad
  • May 14th – Jude Dauphin

For more information, contact: Virginia Condello at the Chamber, (863) 533-7125 or email virginia@bartowchamber.com

MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES

20 YEARS
Thomas E. McMicken, MD

15 YEARS
Bernie Little Distributors

10 YEARS
Sherry Boyette
Neighborhood Improvement Corporation of Bartow
Polk Museum of Art


5 YEARS
Rep. Ben Albritton
Especially 4U Catering
Perpetual Technology Solutions
Spessard L. Holland Elementary

COMMITTEE OF 100

     The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, February 12, 2016, at 8:00 a.m.
     Our guest speakers will be County Commissioner Melony Bell and TPO Executive Director Tom Deardorff. Melony and Tom will be talking about Central Polk Parkway and the Northern Bartow Connector; and about the formation of the Polk County Expressway Authority.
      Committee of 100 meetings are held at the Health and Life Center (old hospital), 1239 E. Main Street. If you are interested in becoming a member of this prestigious grouip, contact Chairman Brian Hinton at 863-533-4196.

Click here for a complete listing of Committee of 100 members.

HELLO BARTOW! MEMBERS PARTICIPATE FOR FREE



ROI ALERT TO ALL MEMBERS!

We've established a new perk to your membership. Now, as a member of the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, you may include a promotional item for your business in the HELLO BARTOW! welcome baskets for new residents. PARTICIPATION IS FREE OF CHARGE! If you are interested, contact Barbara Adamson, Membership Director, (863) 533-7125, or reply to this email.

2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Jennifer Hall, President
    SEMCO Construction
Sharon Casey, Immediate Past President
    Retired Banker
Clint Edwards, President-elect, Vice President
    Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LIST

MEMBER MICRONEWS

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: March 5, 6, 2016:


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REACH 22K HOMES WITH YOUR MESSAGE

 Reserve your space now in the Spring Chamber Quarterly Magazine and hand your business card out to more than 22,000 households for only $85 per issue. Call Barbara Adamson at 863-533-7125 for more information.

SEE US HERE!

Newsletter1 - February 8, 2016